The Football Forecast

Spanish players who have excelled in England

In recent years, there has been a large number of Spanish players coming to the Premier League to play their football and they have made a huge difference. Most Spaniards would love to play for Real Madrid and Barcelona, but not all of them are able to turn that dream into a reality and when they fail to do so, a competitive and unpredictable Premier League is the next best option. As expected, the majority of Spain’s 23-man squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Albania consists of La Liga players with just six Premier League players included in the squad. Here are some of the Spanish players who are currently enjoying successful spells in England and making their mark in the Premier League.

Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)

Chelsea is Cesc Fabregas’ second English club. At the age of 16, he left Barcelona to join Arsenal and spent eight years there winning the FA Cup in 2005. Cesc made 303 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 57 goals and he was made Arsenal captain in November 2008.

When Barcelona came calling again in 2011, Cesc returned to his boyhood club. Three years later, Cesc Fabregas came back to England, to join Chelsea for £27m, saying that he had “unfinished business” in the Premier League. In his debut season at Chelsea, Fabregas won the Premier League and the Capital One Cup, two trophies that evaded him at Arsenal. He was a huge part of Chelsea’s success, creating 18 assists and countless chances for his teammates.

Chelsea’s title defence the following season was very poor, leading to Jose Mourinho being sacked in December, Chelsea finishing 10th and Cesc Fabregas being labelled as a ringleader. In the 2016/17 season, Mourinho has since moved on to Manchester United while Fabregas remains at Chelsea under new boss Antonio Conte. Fabregas has spent more time on the bench than on the pitch with Conte preferring Matić and Kanté ahead of him in the holding role and Willian and Oscar in a more attacking role. Fabregas has only made one Premier League start this season, the 3-0 defeat by former club Arsenal. It seems as though the Spaniard’s best days in England are behind him with Juventus wanting the midfielder as part of the deal to bring Leonardo Bonucci to Stamford Bridge.

In July 2010, David Silva joined Manchester City from Valencia for £24m. He has been a key part of the first team since his first season at the club, contributing with goals and assists. Silva chose to sign a new five-year deal with City in 2014 telling the club’s official website that “From the moment I joined the club four years ago it has felt like a second home to me. On and off the pitch, I feel incredibly content and fulfilled, so why wouldn’t I stay and keep winning trophies with a fantastic team?”

The Spaniard helped Man City win the FA Cup in his first season and then won the Premier League in his second season. As if one Premier League winners medal wasn’t enough, Silva got his second two years later in 2014. He has also won the Capital One Cup twice (2014 and 2016) during his time at City. New boss Pep Guardiola has given Silva a new deeper midfield role this season and there are no complaints from the Spaniard who says “Guardiola also gives me freedom to attack… I’m very happy in this role.” Manchester City have won six of their seven Premier League games under Pep Guardiola and if they were to win the title, this would be Silva’s third Premier League winners medal in seven years at Manchester City.

The Spanish goalkeeper very nearly left the club in 2015, only for his move to Real Madrid to fall through minutes before the Spanish deadline. De Gea could easily have sulked about this but he took the more mature approach and signed a new four-year deal with Man United saying that he was “delighted to be starting this new chapter in my United career.” During his time at Man United, David De Gea has won the Premier League (2013) and the FA Cup (2016) along with plenty of individual honours. De Gea made history in May 2016 by becoming the first Manchester United player to win three consecutive Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year awards. He has also won the Players’ Player of the Year award twice and been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year three times (2013, 2015 and 2016). De Gea is known for his fantastic and important saves and has been Manchester United’s most consistent player in recent seasons. If Manchester United win the Premier League this season under Jose Mourinho, there is no doubt that David De Gea will have a huge part to play in their success.

During his time at Man United, David De Gea has won the Premier League (2013) and the FA Cup (2016) along with plenty of individual honours. De Gea made history in May 2016 by becoming the first Manchester United player to win three consecutive Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year awards. He has also won the Players’ Player of the Year award twice and been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year three times (2013, 2015 and 2016). De Gea is known for his fantastic and important saves and has been Manchester United’s most consistent player in recent seasons. If Manchester United win the Premier League this season under Jose Mourinho, there is no doubt that David De Gea will have a huge part to play in their success.